The Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange project carried out an interactive open online dialogue last month to address the topic of poverty. Participants tried to collectively respond to the question: "Can we get out of poverty?" Despite not finding immediate solutions, the discussion concluded with an overall agreement: "Charity will not get us out of poverty".

The session, part of the Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Social Circles activity, brought together young people aged between 18 and 30, from various backgrounds and nationalities, such as Albania, Palestine, UK, Pakistan, Italy or Jordan. For three weeks, the group shared a meaningful Virtual Exchange experience and built a secure online space for constructive exchange. Young people residing in Europe and the Southern Mediterranean, interested in intercultural learning are encouraged to apply for the Social Circles activity.

Rafael Tysblat, co-designer of Social Circles and facilitator of this session, highlighted: "The discussion was rich but not a simple one. It did not produce miraculous solutions for one of the world’s trickiest problems, but it helped participants learn from each other’s respective knowledge on psychology, sociology, economics, and politics”.

Participants engaged in critical analysis on the meaning of poverty and its causes, before exploring potential solutions for fighting against it. They discussed about the level of responsibility of governments and civil society, for provoking and maintaining poverty and about the roles of colonialism and capitalism.

The next Social Circles online discussion will revolve around: “What methods for anti-racism?”. It is scheduled to start on 6 May 2019 and registration closes on 29 April 2019.